What does dress code really mean in politics?
When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, many noticed that he had "dressed up" this time. The question is: How much does dress really matter in big politics, war and peace?
Grade A Copenhagen's founder Jesper Svarer Nissen gives his take on this in DR's podcast Tiden, where he, together with host Amalie Schroll Munk, talks about the art of balancing between professional appearance and relatability - a balance that is largely reflected in the clothes.
Because in politics, dress is never casual.
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If you dress too formally , it can seem elitist and distant.
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Dressing too casually can seem frivolous or disrespectful.
Clothes function as non-verbal communication. They send signals about values, belonging and credibility. When Pia Olsen Dyhr shows up in red and Franciska Rosenkilde in green for a party leadership debate, it is not just a choice of color, but a signal about the party's identity.
The same applies to big politics. Zelensky has long insisted on a simple, military-style wardrobe. A conscious choice that signals to both Ukrainians and the rest of the world that he is at war, shares the people's plight, and is not concerned with pomp and pageantry. It makes him relatable and credible.
Now, when he chooses a suit over army green, it's about the other side of the equation: the desire to appear more professional on the international stage.
The only question is: Was the black suit the right decision? And what should he wear when he one day comes face to face with Vladimir Putin?
Listen to the episode in DR's podcast Tiden from minute 11:15
